Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Character Confessions: Rebecca (Birdie) Orin (Crux) + giveaway

Author Julie Reece is confronted by her sassy YA character Birdie. Seems Birdie wants more sexy time with her sweetie. Will they come to an agreement?

Rebecca (Birdie) Orin walks into the office set aside for our use today by I smell sheep. It smells more like burnt coffee and yesterday’s donuts, but I’m not complaining. My heroine’s long, platinum hair hangs to her waist. Her lanky body is clad in skinny jeans, boots and a red t-shirt that reads: ‘The hardest part of a zombie apocalypse will be pretending I’m not excited.’

She sits and narrows her eyes at me. Stretching her hands out on the table, palms down, her fingers are splayed, showing off her onyx nail polish.

“I gotta tell you, I've been looking forward to this day for a while, because I have a serious axe to grind.” She laughs without humor. “Axe, like the one you wrote into that scene in chapter twenty five … on the bridge with Grey. I hadn't seen him in days, didn't know if he was alive or dead, and you give me an axe called Head biter, the Viking horde and a thousand English to kill instead of a hefty make out scene. Thanks for that.”

“You can’t be serious. Did you think I’d just stop time so you and Grey could get it on? Right there on the battlefield? Making my readers wait to find out if the amulet is destroyed, or if the King is redeemed or if his traitorous son Haddr gets what’s coming to him?”

“Yeah. Pretty much.”

“That’s crazy.”

“Like a fox. If your readers got to experience everything that Grey and I really wanted to do to each other in that moment, your book would be on the top of the New York Times bestselling list, babe.”

“That’s a low blow, Rebecca—and another genre.”

Her head tilts. “I’m eighteen now.”

“I write young adult.”

“Ever consider erotica?”

“You’re hilarious.”

“On another note, Ms. Author, you left Grey and me with some freaky super-powers we don’t control very well.”

“I thought you’d like that.”

“Not so much. Every time Grey holds me, either I light the curtains on fire or he makes an appliance explode. Last night, when we made out, we wound up on the roof of my house.” I open my mouth to comment, but her hand rises to stop me. “Don’t ask. And when he kissed me in the parking lot of our college campus yesterday, every tire on every car on the lot blew out.” She drops her head in her hands. “So embarrassing.”

“Sounds hot to me.”

She lifts her chin. “Well it isn’t. It’s inconvenient and distracting. Every time we start something, really get going … ugh. Our powers are screwing with our freakin’ love life here!”

“Sorry. Though, I left you enough money to deal with the damages.”

“So not the point.”

“Point taken.”

“One last thing,” she says.

I take one look at her clenched jaw and gird my loins. “What?”

“My arch rival, Izzy. Can you write her off a cliff or something? She’s hitting on Grey again.”

“No can do, sweetie. I need her for my sequel.”

“I hate my life.”

I bite my lip considering. “What if I promise she’ll get hers in the end?”

“Like you did when Haddr was beating the shit out of me, or the time you left me locked in that hotel room a prisoner, or what about—”

“I think we’re out of time here. You’re just going to have to trust me, and until then, keep a check on those hormones, okay?”

“You’re all heart.”

“I know. Need a ride home?”

“Thanks, but no. Grey’s waiting for me in the lobby. Our new Audi r8 is in the parking deck.” She grins wide, tossing her hair over her shoulder.

“Pfft.” I return her smile. “Not all bad being the child of fiction, is it?”

“No,” she answers, “no it isn't. I’ll catch you later.”

She should have run. Now, she'll have to fight. Eighteen year old Birdie may be homeless, but she's surviving, that is until a mysterious guy throws money in the air like a crazy game show host and she grabs some with the idea she'll be able to buy dinner that night. In that singular moment, unassuming Birdie becomes the girl in everyone's viewfinder. Thugs want to kill her. Money-guy wants to recruit her. The very hot, very rich and very out of her league Grey Mathews wants to save her. Birdie, though, wants nothing to do with any of them until she realizes fate didn't bring them all together. Her heritage did. Now, with only twenty-one days left, she's got to decide whether to follow in the footsteps of those before her or risk her life for people she's only just met.

website-fb-twitterBorn in Ohio, I lived next to my grandfather’s horse farm until the fourth grade. Summers were about riding, fishing and make-believe, while winter brought sledding and ice-skating on frozen ponds. Most of life was magical, but not all.

I struggled with multiple learning disabilities, did not excel in school. I spent much of my time looking out windows and daydreaming. In the fourth grade (with the help of one very nice teacher) I fought dyslexia for my right to read, like a prince fights a dragon in order to free the princess locked in a tower, and I won.

Afterwards, I read like a fiend. I invented stories where I could be the princess... or a gifted heroine from another world who kicked bad guy butt to win the heart of a charismatic hero. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that? Later, I moved to Florida where I continued to fantasize about superpowers and monsters, fabricating stories (my mother called it lying) and sharing them with my friends.

Then I thought I’d write one down…

Hooked, I've been writing ever since. I write historical, contemporary, urban fantasy, adventure, and young adult romances. I love strong heroines, sweeping tales of mystery and epic adventure… which must include a really hot guy. My writing is proof you can work hard to overcome any obstacle. Don’t give up. I say, if you write, write on!

I have lots of nicknames. With a name like Josette, everyone always wanted something easier. Called Jo/Joe a lot growing up. I prefer to stick with my full name now, but the hubby likes to come up with cute nicknames for me LOL Sorry, not going to share them LOL

If I could pick any nickname... hmmm... not sure. Would like it to be indicative of something I do or like to do. Might have to go out to my friends and ask them what they think ;)

I do not have a nickname,but answer to most things including hey you - so I guess if you want to keep it short to could call me Hey! Hear the beat I said Hey . . . Hey . . . Thank you for sharing this fun interview with us and I really think you might want to rethink the car - we can't have some young adults getting too big for their britches ;) I just saw Jacqui also answers to Hey You, maybe you better call me Hey Hey - hee hee hee. On a more serious note, I think it is awesome that teacher took the time to teach and help you - what a legacy she has left in all of your awesome accomplishments and sharing of your talents! Kudos to all you teachers out there who actually care for our youths :)

Poor Birdie-- as a mom I love that they are having problems getting too hot and heavy. BAHAHAHAHHA Plus, it's just fricking funny.

I never really had a nickname until I got online-- I met my friend Catie over 10 years ago, and we both were building websites and writing. She started calling me B. and I call her C. we STILL do that after all this time. In my head I actually think C. when I think of her instead of her full name:)